Hongu is kind of the central site of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes and shrines. I arrived there late on the second day of my walk along the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, ostensibky the oldest pilgrimage in Japan, and which follows parts of the Kumano Kodo for the first week.
Hongu is part of the World Heritage Sites, and so a brand new center has been constructed that offers all kind of information for visitors.
It was made out of local timber and for me was actually more interesting than all the historical and visitor information.
After here I headed to Hoingu Taishi for a quick visit before finding my lodgings for the night.
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I understand the Kumano Kodo region is popular with foreign travelers these days (or at least in the pre-COVID-19 days). I spent several days there in the summer of 2004 soon after the area had been declared a World Heritage Site, and didn't see any other Westerners.
ReplyDeletebeautiful wood !
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